DCR Central Region Lifeguarding

DCR’s Central Region offers lifeguard opportunities at fifteen different aquatic facilities:

Pools	Designated Swimming Areas
Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool (Worcester)	Douglas State Forest (Douglas)
Philip Weihn Memorial Swimming Pool (Clinton)	Dunn State Park (Gardner)
Gustave Johnson Memorial Swimming Pool (Fitchburg)	Erving State Forest
Sen. P. Eugene Casey Memorial Pool (Milford)	Hopkinton State Park
Dennis F. Shine Memorial Swimming Pool (Vernon Hill, Worcester)	Lake Dennison (Winchendon)
	Lake Wyola State Park (Shutesbury)
	Quinsigamond State Park – Regatta Point (Worcester)
	Quinsigamond State Park – Lake Park (Worcester)
	Rutland State Park
	Leominster State Forest

For Additional Information

For further information on working in the Central Region or for information on upcoming swim assessments, certification courses or skill development opportunities please contact:

Lauren Hopper               |             [phone]                |               [e-mail]

To Apply

To apply for a position, please visit Pool and Waterfront Safety Application

DCR-Sponsored Lifeguard Certification Courses

DCR offers qualified lifeguard candidates that end up working for DCR over the upcoming summer an opportunity to become certified at no cost.  Persons who participate in a DCR training program and then who do not to work for DCR over the course of the upcoming summer will be expected to pay for the certification course themselves.  This cost can be upwards of $400

Most DCR lifeguarding courses use a Blended Format.  These classes have an online component that must be completed before the in-person pool sessions.

• The online component takes approximately 8 hours to complete. Please plan accordingly and distribute this learning over a period of days.
• Do not wait until the last minute to do the online training. Any issues with the technology or accessing the Red Cross training site must be resolved in time to allow completion of the online content before DCR can assign you to the in-person sessions. You must complete the online portion of the training within two weeks of DCR sending you the registration link.  If you do not complete the online content within two weeks, you will not be placed in a DCR-sponsored training course.
• Candidates must print and bring proof of completion of the online content to the in-person session.

Candidates who do not bring proof of completion to the in-person sessions will not be able to attend the in-person sessions and will not be eligible for certification.  This is a Red Cross policy.

Region Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Recertification, Waterfront Skills, and WSI

Successful completion of a Lifeguarding or Lifeguarding Recertification course will provide candidates with certification in Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Certification is valid for two years.

Individuals looking to work at a DCR waterfront will also need to complete the Red Cross Waterfront Skills Module.  This course is typically scheduled in May and June. 

Some YMCA Lifeguarding courses may include waterfront certification. If your YMCA Lifeguarding course contains Waterfront Skills, this should be noted on your certification.  If your certification does not indicate Waterfront Skills, you will need to complete a Waterfront Skills course in order to work at a beach.

To be eligible for an American Red Cross recertification course, your certification must be current. If your certification has expired by 31 days or more you must take a full course to become certified.

Central Region CPR/AED Classes

Massachusetts state law requires lifeguards employed by the state or its municipalities to undergo CPR certification annually.  If your CPR certification was issued before September 8, 2025, you will need to attend a CPR Basic Life Support / Professional Rescuer Recertification Course.

To register for any of these limited courses, please contact our DCR-Central team at [e-mail].  Class sizes are limited, and registration is first-come, first-served, so don’t wait until the last few classes to get certified – there may be no spaces left. Participants must attend all class dates listed for each course.

You can also direct questions to Lauren Hopper, PWS Central Region Recruitment Manager, via phone at [phone].